Three-Fifths Compromise

Definition

The Three-Fifths Compromise was a compromise reached among state delegates during the 1787 United States Constitutional Convention due to disputes over how enslaved people would be counted when determining a state's total population for legislative representation and taxing purposes.

Analogy

Imagine you're splitting a pizza with friends, but some argue that those who paid more should get more slices. You compromise by saying every $1 contributed counts as 3/5 of a slice.

Related terms

Census: An official count or survey of a population, typically recording various details of individuals.

Slave Trade Compromise: A compromise during the Constitutional Convention prohibiting Congress from banning the slave trade for 20 years.

Representation: The action of speaking or acting on behalf of someone or the state of being so represented.